Scholarship Program

Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime?

The Golden Gate Tall Ships Society scholarship program provides youth scholarships in the form of grants to promote sail training. Scholarship funds from the Golden Gate Tall Ships Society has sponsored and supported cadets on numerous sailing vessels under many sail training programs.

Individual Scholarships

The individual scholarship program is designed for the young person who feels the "pull of the sea" and would like to try their hand at sailing on a Tall Ship. Normally we expect you to identify the ship and program you would like to participate in, verify that you qualify and then contact us to evaluate the program and your needs. If you need help in identifying such a program, we can often help in the process; contact us directly to discuss this need. As you begin the process of applying for a scholarship we suggest that you read the general scholarship guidelines.

Applying for an individual scholarship

Most of the GGTSS scholarship recipients ("cadets") are students in their late teens and are from the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the cadets have had prior experience with sailing, many are novices. Additionally, in the past we have sent a number of adults to sea for "training" as well.

Each scholarship pays a portion of the cadet's registration fee based on need. The actual amount of the scholarship varies on a case-by-case basis. The cadet is responsible for the other portion of the registration as well as any transportation costs involved in reaching the vessel's embarcation port and returning home at the end of the sail.

Each cadet scholarship recipient is asked to complete a project reflecting their experiences and turn it in to the Society upon their return. This may be a photo journal, a video journal, or a short written essay which normally will be published in our newsletter, Tall Tales. In addition to posting some of these journals here on our web site, the Society shows these projects at various nautical events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to show what sailing on a tall ship is like and to further promote our scholarship and sailing program. Individual Scholarship Application

Ward Cleaveland Memorial Scholarships

Background

These scholarships are being given in fond memory of Ward Cleaveland, a charter member of our Society. He was an enthusiastic sailor and a strong advocate of youth sail training. He was a key supporter of California's official tallship, the schooner Californian.

The Program

Several young recipients will sail on the schooner Seaward operated by Call of the Sea of Sausalito. Trainees will learn teamwork, how to lead and follow and group living and responsibility

The voyage will last five days from Monday, July 31st through Friday, August 4th, leaving from and returning to Sausalito. Total cost of the voyage is $750: partial scholarship are being offered by the Ward Cleveland Scholarship Fund.

Applying for a Ward Cleaveland scholarship

Applicants should be between the ages of 14 and 19, reside within the greater San Francisco Bay area, be a in good standing at their school, enthusiastic about this opportunity, and have a financial need. Candidates will be asked to participate in a personal interview. No sailing experience is required, however candidates must be physically fit and be able to swim. Scholarship recipients will be required to do a project of their choosing to reflect on their experience.

Group Scholarships

Does your group want to experience the Tall Ship sailing mystique on a short term (usually one day) basis? We offer several approaches that can provide that group with such an experience on one of the local Tall Ships. These scholarships, or grants, may cover either full and partial costs depending upon the needs of the group. Although each application will be considered upon its individual merits, this program is mainly designed to support youth age 14 and under; too young to sail independently.

Applying for a group scholarship

Any youth organization is welcome to apply for one of our scholarships. Normally you need to sponsor about 20 youth who would be interested in and benefit from the experience. You will also need to provide appropriate adult supervision to participate in the sail.
Sails are normally set up in coordination with your group on a date of your choosing. We reserve the right to include a member from the society on the sail to document your experience. Group Scholarship Application

Past Scholarship Recipients

View some of the pictures that have resulted from our scholarship program!